Jo Thompson

Project Goal

Develop a community project to protect bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Location: Democratic Republic of Congo

"It’s the bonobos that took me to the DRC, but they’re not the only thing that keeps me going back.”

Fascinated by bonobos since her childhood, primatologist Jo Thompson has dedicated more than a decade to conserving them in their natural habitat. In 1992, she initiated a programme of research and conservation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite years of often violent political unrest, this project survived.

Now that the situation is more stable, Thompson is rebuilding her field base and expanding her conservation efforts.